Ireland’s armed forces have been hamstrung by a shortage of staff but a big increase in salaries —along with subsidies on food and accommodation which cost recruits only €44 a week — is boosting recruitment

Over the past year, we have seen little other than the continued emasculation of our army, naval service, and air corps

The Irish Defence Forces have never been weaker, but a new commission provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform and modernise it, writes Conor King